Rand Paul considering 2016 run

Rand Paul at CPAC 2013

Paul cited lingering conservative ire with the lack of beefed-up enforcement after Ronald Reagan signed off on amnesty in 1986. The libertarian leader calls his proposal “trust but verify” after the Russian proverb Reagan regularly cited when discussing arms control.

The likely 2016 presidential candidate told reporters at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor that he is part of a sizable block of conservatives who will vote for a bill if there’s enough border security guarantees. He thinks it will be bad for the country if a comprehensive measure passes both chambers with only the bare minimum of GOP votes.

“I’m looking for a way to get more of the Republican Party to come over and embrace immigration reform,” said Paul.

Another amendment he’s interested in would add verification requirements to make sure immigrants with work visas and driver’s licenses, but not citizenship, are unable to vote. He also wants to make sure that anyone in the country illegally does not receive welfare benefits.

Paul embraced the approach of some House Republicans who would prefer to vote on an immigration overhaul piece-by-piece. He complained that “every deal attempts to be big” and compromises mean unpopular elements get squeezed in.

“We make it harder on ourselves,” he said. “Why not break up all these big deals?”

On gun control, Paul complained that President Barack Obama is using the families of some of the Newtown victims as “props.” He said he understands the grief they are going through and knows they appear on the Hill willingly, but he resents the implication that he does not empathize with them because he opposes any new form of gun control.

“In some cases, the president has used them as props,” he said. “That disappoints me.”

“I don’t have a direct connection,” he said, adding that it would be illegal for him to call them or tell them to stop running the attack ads.

“I don’t always agree with every tactic of every group out there,” he said. “I don’t agree with all of them all the time, but I am on the side of protecting the Second Amendment and believe it is just as important as the rest of the Bill of Rights.”

He said he has no plans to oppose any incumbent Republicans facing 2014 primaries.

Asked about the 2016 presidential buzz, he said: “Being considered allows me to have a larger megaphone.”

After POLITICO reported last week that his aides tried to get him a role at the South Carolina GOP’s big May 3 fundraising dinner, Paul told reporters that he expects to appear in the state during the “summer time.”

It was Rand Paul’s first appearance at the Christian Science Monitor breakfast. His father, Ron, last appeared in 2011. The only other father-son combination to appear at the staple Washington breakfast was George and Mitt Romney.